Universal T-cell epitopes for anti-malarial vaccines

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and compositions for eliciting protective immunity against malaria. In particular, the invention relates to universal T-cell epitopes that elicit T-cell responses; in individuals of differing genetic backgrounds. Immunogenic compositions and vaccines comprising malaria-specific universal T-cell epitopes are disclosed.

1 . An immunogenic composition which comprises a first malaria-derived peptide comprising a universal T-cell epitope, wherein said composition elicits an anti-malarial T-cell response in mammals of diverse genetic backgrounds.  
     
     
         2 . An immunogenic composition as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a second malaria-derived peptide comprising a B-cell epitope which stimulates the production of anti-malarial antibodies in mammals.  
     
     
         3 . An immunogenic composition as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first peptide is incorporated into a multiple antigen peptide (MAP).  
     
     
         4 . An immunogenic composition as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said first and second peptides are incorporated into a multiple antigen peptide (MAP).  
     
     
         5 . An immunogenic composition as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first peptide comprises the sequence EYLNKIQNSLSTEWSPCSVT (SEQ ID NO:3).  
     
     
         6 . An immunogenic composition as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first peptide consists essentially of the sequence EYLNKIQNSLSTEWSPCSVT (SEQ ID NO:3).  
     
     
         7 . A vaccine comprising an immunogenic composition as defined in  claim 1  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.  
     
     
         8 . A vaccine as defined in  claim 7 , further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant.  
     
     
         9 . A method for inhibiting the propagation of a malarial organism in a susceptible mammal, which comprises administering to said mammal an immunogenically effective amount of a vaccine as defined in  claim 7 .  
     
     
         10 . A method for eliciting protective immunity against malaria in a mammal, which comprises administering to said mammal an immunogenically effective amount of a vaccine as defined in  claim 7 .  
     
     
         11 . An immunogenic composition which comprises a first malaria-derived peptide comprising the sequence EYLNKIQNSLSTEWSPCSVT (SEQ ID NO:3), wherein said composition elicits an anti-malarial T-cell response in mammals of diverse genetic backgrounds.  
     
     
         12 . An immunogenic composition as defined in  claim 11 , further comprising a second malaria-derived peptide comprising a B-cell epitope which stimulates the production of anti-malarial antibodies in mammals.  
     
     
         13 . A vaccine comprising an immunogenic composition as defined in  claim 11  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.  
     
     
         14 . A vaccine as defined in  claim 13 , further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant.  
     
     
         15 . A method for inhibiting the propagation of a malarial organism in a susceptible mammal, which comprises administering to said mammal an immunogenically effective amount of a vaccine as defined in  claim 13 .  
     
     
         16 . A method for eliciting protective immunity against malaria in a mammal, which comprises administering to said mammal an immunogenically effective amount of a vaccine as defined in  claim 13 .  
     
     
         17 . An immunogenic composition which comprises a first malaria-derived peptide consisting essentially of the sequence EYLNKIQNSLSTEWSPCSVT (SEQ ID NO:3), wherein said composition elicits an anti-malarial T-cell response in mammals of diverse genetic backgrounds.  
     
     
         18 . A vaccine comprising an immunogenic composition as defined in  claim 17  and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.  
     
     
         19 . A method for inhibiting the propagation of a malarial organism in a susceptible mammal, which comprises administering to said mammal an immunogenically effective amount of a vaccine as defined in  claim 18 .  
     
     
         20 . A method for eliciting protective immunity against malaria in a mammal, which comprises administering to said mammal an immunogenically effective amount of a vaccine as defined in  claim 18.